Farmers, traders ready to hit cattle markets across the country for Eid-ul-Azha

Farmers and traders are ready with sacrificial animals to supply the cattle markets across the country ahead of Eid-Ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals of Muslims.

This year around 1.23 crore sacrificial animals are expected to appear in the market against the maxi-mum potential demand of 1.01 crore. Accordingly, the country is expected to have a surplus of 22,27,506 animals this year, according to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).

Of the total sacrificial animals, there are 56,95,878 cattle and buffalo, 66,32,307 goats and sheep, and 5,655 other species such as camels and dumba.

Cattle traders and farmers across the country are now busy taking care of their animals. Some of them are working to fatten their cattle through government-regulated natural methods.

More than 4,259 cattle markets are being prepared to facilitate sales of sacrificial animals across the country. Among them, 15 markets will run under Dhaka North City Corporation and 11 under Dhaka South City Corporation.

During the last Eid-ul-Azha, the total expected availability of sacrificial animals was 1,24,47,337. At that time, it was initially estimated that there could be a surplus of more than 20,68,000 animals. However, in reality, the number of animals sacrificed stood at 91,36,734, leaving an actual surplus of approxi-mately 33,10,000 animals.

According to divisional data on sacrificial animals for Eid-ul-Azha 2026, Rajshahi division has the highest number of cattle and buffaloes at 14,28,294, while Rangpur division has 8,03,966 and Dhaka division has 7,95,732.

In terms of goats and sheep, Rajshahi also leads with 28,76,971 animals, followed by Rangpur with 11,25,855 and Khulna division with 9,02,543.

The data further show that Chattogram division has 12,81,527 cattle and buffaloes, 5,96,345 goats and sheep, and 574 animals of other species; Barishal Division has 3,34,331 cattle and buffaloes, 1,33,964 goats and sheep, and 150 others; Sylhet Division has 1,89,468 cattle and buffaloes, 2,99,959 goats and sheep, and the highest number of other species at 3,437 while Mymensingh Division has 3,15,503 cat-tle and buffaloes, 2,48,058 goats and sheep, and 51 others.

Strict measures to prevent extortion

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said that any kind of extortion involving livestock transport on roads and waterways would be dealt with strictly.

To prevent extortion, law enforcement agencies will use body-worn cameras, and intelligence surveil-lance will also be conducted in plain clothes, he said.

“Authorities have been instructed to ensure adequate lighting and install CCTV cameras at the markets. Banks will also set up booths and machines at every market to detect counterfeit currency notes. In ad-dition, ‘Integrated Ansar’ personnel will be deployed to ensure security according to the needs of lease-holders,” said the Home Minister.

Traders hopeful about profit

Md Limon, a cattle farmer from Kushtia, said that he raised four cows to sell during this Eid-ul-Azha.

Three of his cows weigh about 4 maund while one is around 6 maund, he said, adding that he is expect-ing around Tk1.70 lakh for the big one.

Ranzi Bishwas, a buyer from Kushtia, said different cattle markets in Kushtia district have crowded with cattle for wholesale traders.

“The number of customers this year was lower than the previous year, but it may increase,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has taken strict measures to prevent any illegal entry of sacrificial animals through border areas. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Police, district administration, Coast Guard, and District Livestock Offices have been assigned to work on the issue in coordination. Surveillance has been strengthened in the border areas so that illegal animals will not enter ahead of Eid, said sources.

To promote cashless and modern financial transactions, online livestock sales are being encouraged this year and no VAT or tax will be imposed on sales through online.

Last year during Eid-ul-Azha, 409 online platforms and 614 social media pages facilitated the sale of 85,626 animals, with transactions totaling around Tk5,987 crore. Online sales will continue this year as well, benefiting both buyers and sellers while reducing the risk of carrying cash.

Veterinary medical teams to work at cattle markets

To ensure healthy animals and hygienic practices, veterinary medical teams will be deployed at all desig-nated cattle markets. Medical camps will be set up at designated places in each market under the initia-tive of city corporations and municipalities. They will provide animal health check-ups, primary treat-ment, disease detection, and necessary advice.

Under Dhaka North and South City Corporations, 20 veterinary medical teams will operate in 26 live-stock markets. Monitoring will include five central monitoring teams, two expert medical teams, central coordination units, control rooms, and separate mobile court teams. Veterinary teams will also be de-ployed at district and upazila levels across the country.

Necessary measures are being taken to ensure safe and smooth transportation of sacrificial animals. Special arrangements will be in place on roads, highways, and bridges. District administration, upazila administration, and livestock departments will work jointly. Priority will be given to vehicles carrying an-imals.

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